Household management
NDIS Core support
Support to run a home, such as planning meals, shopping, organising bills and keeping the household running smoothly.
The short answer
Household management is help with running a home, such as planning meals, shopping, organising bills and keeping routines on track.
About Household management
Running a home involves far more than cleaning. There is meal planning and shopping, keeping on top of bills and mail, arranging repairs, remembering appointments and keeping the household routines working. For some people, the mental load of organising all this is the hardest part.
Support can be practical, such as going shopping together, or focused on organisation, such as setting up a calendar, a meal plan or a system for paperwork. Some people want a worker to take on tasks, while others want to build their own skills and gradually do more.
Households differ, so the support should reflect yours. If you share with family or housemates, it can help to agree who does what, and to include them in planning so everyone understands how the support will work.
Who is this service for?
People who need help running a home, for example planning meals, shopping, paying bills and keeping things organised.
What a typical session looks like
Household management is broader than cleaning. It can include organising shopping, planning meals, keeping track of bills, arranging repairs, managing laundry, and keeping the house running smoothly. A worker might do some of these tasks, or coach you to do them yourself, depending on what you prefer.
A typical session might begin with a look at what needs doing that week, then work through it together, such as writing a shopping list, putting away groceries, checking the pantry and planning a couple of meals. Over time, the worker helps you build routines and systems that make it easier to stay on top of things.
Who delivers this support
Household management support is provided by support workers, domestic assistance workers and sometimes occupational therapists who help you work out routines and strategies. Choose someone who respects your home and your choices, who can work in the way you like and who is comfortable teaching as well as doing.
How to choose a provider
- Ask whether the provider can support planning and organisation, not only physical tasks.
- Check how they handle shopping, including what is done for you and what is done with you.
- Find out how they will respect your routines and preferences.
- Ask how they keep your information private.
- Check how flexible the support is when your needs change.
Questions to ask a provider
- How will you decide with me which tasks you do and which I do myself?
- How will you help me build routines that I can maintain?
- How do you organise shopping and deliveries, and how do you handle my money?
- How will you respect my home and my way of doing things?
- How will we review whether the support is meeting my needs?
- What happens if my needs change?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Having tasks done for you when you would prefer to learn to do them.
- Not being clear about who handles money and receipts for shopping.
- Letting routines get complicated, which makes them hard to keep.
- Not reviewing the arrangement as your skills and needs change.
- Leaving tasks such as bills and repairs to build up until they become urgent.
Getting started
- List the household tasks that take the most energy or time.
- Decide which you want done for you and which you want to learn.
- Agree a simple weekly routine with your provider.
- Review regularly and adjust as you settle in.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
This support connects with cleaning, meal preparation, financial skills and independent living. It can be part of a move toward more independence, or an ongoing support that lets you live in your own home. Reviewing it periodically shows whether the balance between doing and teaching is right for you.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Household management if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Core supports help with everyday activities and are usually the most flexible part of an NDIS plan. If Household management is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Core budget. Your plan shows how much you have and how it can be used. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Supports such as Household management that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Domestic assistance providers on the NDIS register
15,318 NDIS providers list domestic assistance supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing domestic assistance
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Call Rubbish Removal - VIC; includes Greenvale, VIC
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Circle Of Care - VIC; includes Pakenham, VIC
- 1 Disability Support Services - SA; includes Prospect, SA
- 1 Heart Care Services - NSW; includes Orange, NSW
- 1 In Town Services - SA; includes Mansfield Park, SA
- 1 The Helpers - NSW; includes Parramatta, NSW
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 121 Best Care - QLD; includes Calamvale, QLD
See all 15,318 domestic assistance providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (5,269)
- Victoria (4,571)
- Queensland (2,690)
- South Australia (1,386)
- Western Australia (1,262)
- Australian Capital Territory (331)
- Northern Territory (305)
- Tasmania (280)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (650)
- Melbourne, VIC (534)
- Sydney, NSW (396)
- Central Coast, NSW (314)
- Perth, WA (295)
- Adelaide, SA (258)
- Blacktown, NSW (255)
- Parramatta, NSW (248)
- Liverpool, NSW (214)
- Tarneit, VIC (209)
- Canberra, ACT (199)
- Werribee, VIC (199)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Nurse Next Door Batemans Bay - 413 areas
- Simply You Plan Management - 324 areas
- Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
- Residence Revival - 243 areas
- Nurse Next Door Ballarat - 233 areas
- Nurse Next Door Armidale - 230 areas
- Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga - 207 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
- Innovative community participation
- Meal preparation
- Medication assistance
- Medium Term Accommodation (MTA)
Frequently asked questions
What does household management involve?
Support with the wider running of a home, such as planning meals, shopping, organising bills and keeping routines on track.
How is it different from cleaning?
Cleaning is one part of a household. Household management also covers planning and organising, which some people do with a support worker rather than have done for them.
Can I work towards doing more myself?
Often, yes. Many people combine support with skill-building so they gradually take on more. Discuss your goals with your provider.
Can a worker do my shopping?
Often yes, either with you or for you. Discuss how you would like it done and how payments and receipts are handled.
Can this include meal planning?
Yes. Support can include planning meals, making lists and preparing food.
What if my household is busy?
Tell your provider how many people live in your home and their routines so support can fit in.
What is the difference between household management and cleaning?
Cleaning covers the physical work of keeping the house clean. Household management is wider and covers the planning and organising that keeps a home running, such as shopping, meals, bills and repairs.
Can a worker do my shopping for me?
Yes, if that is what you want, and it should be clear how money and receipts are handled. Some people prefer to shop with a worker so they can make their own choices.
Can I learn to manage my household on my own?
Many people do, with practice and the right support. A worker or therapist can teach skills step by step and gradually reduce their involvement.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Household management?
If Household management is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Household management provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.